Chapter 294 - Nice to Meet You, A Single Voice
—Three days left, two days left, one day left.
The ample buffer I thought I had was steadily ticking away each time I counted, and as if to mock my still-unprepared resolve, 'that day' arrived without mercy.
If you were to ask what I'd been doing for the past three days since Wednesday night… in the virtual world, I'd been working to fix my build's issues, even visiting my master's dojo, in preparation for my adventure with Sora, who wasn't available this week.
In the real world, I was busy dealing with the 'princess,' which in some ways felt even more surreal than the virtual world—so I had spent my time being reasonably busy and lively.
Honestly, though, I can't say I remember much of it clearly. If you ask why, it's obviously because the 'plan' for today never once left my mind.
—Current location: near the entrance of a major theme park I've never been to before.
In other words, the meeting spot.
—Current time: 1:00 PM, on the dot.
In other words, the meeting time.
"…………………………"
And, just as we'd arranged.
Blending into the crowd at a shop that gave me a one-sided view of the designated plaza in front of the main entrance, I was counting prime numbers to calm my stomach, which felt like it was about to flip from nerves.
It couldn't be helped—this was, in all seriousness, my very first date of this kind. On top of that, my partner was someone I 'knew like the back of my hand' and yet was also 'meeting for the first time.' In such a bizarre situation, anyone would be forced to panic.
"…………Calm down."
I let out a slow breath and told myself to get my breathing under control.
I had resolved to come here, so I had no intention of running away now. I wouldn't let a woman who had mustered up her courage to ask a man out be needlessly embarrassed.
That's right—I know that, that's why I can't run away.
Just like with Ashe… if someone lays their feelings out for me, I have no choice but to face them. Whatever comes next, I'm not allowed to look away.
My resolve might be lacking, but my awareness is fine. All that's left is to see this escort mission through with a man's pride—so it's about time I found my 'date.'
Forcing my heart to settle, I looked up at the sea of people. As one of the country's leading theme parks on a weekend, the crowd was thick enough to make one dizzy, which was understandable…
And yet, amidst it all, I searched for the figure of 'her,' the one who had declared, 'You'll know when you see me.'—
"————……………………Huh?"
I searched—
and I searched————
and I searched——————
My eyes landed on a single girl, and after a hoarse whisper, I was rendered speechless.
I blinked twice, three times, rubbing my eyes and looking again… but I still couldn't process it. I sent a message to the contact info I'd been given beforehand: 'Are you here?'
Then, in my line of sight—the 'her' who had captured my gaze and wouldn't let go took her smartphone out of a handbag and began to fiddle with it.
And a few seconds later.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
When my own device buzzed in perfect sync, conviction and astonishment washed over me at the same time. Of course she'd say it so confidently… that I'd know when I saw her.
The pressure, coming from a completely different direction than I'd expected, honestly made my legs feel weak—but kicking that feeling aside was already a foregone conclusion.
Come on, what's wrong? You're not going to embarrass her, are you?
Then get going, you Japanese man—your very own Sapphire 'Fairy' is waiting.
I left the shop and wove through the strange currents in the bustling crowd. The people had stopped, each captivated by something.
I pushed through them, slipped past them—and walked right up to 'her,' completing my first duty.
I stood in front of the person who was looking down, mercilessly bathed in attention, and defiantly shot a glare at our surroundings as if to say, 'I'm with her.'
When met with a direct challenge to their impolite stares, most people, perhaps due to our national character, pretended they hadn't been looking in the first place.
As for the remaining gazes… well, I'd have to chalk that up to my companion.
Alright then—
"………………"
After looking around, I turned back, and my eyes naturally met a pair of translucent green ones.
Soft, fluffy-looking, caramel-blonde long hair.
Though the details were different, her large eyes and well-defined features strongly resembled her avatar in that world—no, this being the real world, her appearance was far beyond just 'well-defined.'
She was in the same league as that princess (Ashe)—a princess from a faraway land was standing right there.
"…Hh, …………"
For a moment, I almost let English slip out instead of Japanese and clamped my mouth shut.
My brain seemed to be glitching so badly that I'd forgotten we could communicate just fine with casual words in the virtual world. And because of that state—
"Uh, um… Nice to… meet you?"
My first words came out utterly pathetic, but it couldn't be helped.
Her looks were one thing, but her outfit was another. A sky-blue blouse that revealed her pure white shoulders, and a knee-length white flared skirt—a friend once told me I have no fashion sense, but even I can tell the quality of clothes and whether they suit a person.
To be blunt, she did not look like an 'ordinary person.' At the very least, she looked like the 'daughter of an overseas celebrity'… Of course she'd draw attention.
"I mean, I've got the right person, right…?"
I was sure—but I couldn't be at ease until I got an answer. So I held the gaze of the girl staring intently at me and scratched my cheek as I asked again.
"——————"
She opened her mouth for a second, then closed it without a word.
Breaking eye contact, she started typing furiously on the smartphone she was clutching—and since I had been told about her 'situation' beforehand, I wasn't surprised.
Therefore, I already had my answer, but… you're still supposed to exchange 'nice to meet yous,' no matter the form, right?
`You're not wrong. Nice to meet you.`
The words spelled out on the screen she held out were her 'voice.'
`You're just like I imagined, though I already knew.`
Even though I'd been told… it was still something of a shock.
However—upon seeing her familiar smile, I cast aside any unnecessary feelings without a second thought and returned her smile.
"…You're just like I imagined, too. Though my heart nearly stopped."
Hmph—I could practically hear her say it in my head.
With a smug look… yet unable to hide her shyness, her cheeks faintly flushed.
`Did you fall in love at first sight?`
"Too bad. If it were three months ago, there might've been a chance."
I snorted theatrically at her teasing words—and offered up the service I had decided on for this date, something I'd planned to do up to this point.
"We're a spectacle out here. Let's get going, uh… um… Do you prefer being called 'My Lady' or 'Princess'?"
`You smooth-talker.`
With masterful high-speed typing on her left hand, she returned a sharp comeback to my teasing, a joke to hide her own embarrassment—and with her free hand, she (Nia) took the hand I offered without hesitation.
…Don't you run away, me.
The 'warmth' coming from this hand is the responsibility you, as a man, must face.
"Alright—we've got these premium tickets (fast passes), and I've done my research. What do you want to ride first?"
`A roller coaster!!`
"You serious? Didn't you practically pass out when I carried you while running full-speed?"
Even if the voices were one-way, our back-and-forth was the same as always. Since she was smiling so confidently, there was nothing for me to worry about.
We were both aware that we were putting on a brave face.
In that case, let's do as we always do and put in our all to have the best time we can—or so my determination seemed to convey, whether she understood it or not.
My friend, my exclusive artisan of crafts and clothes. In the virtual world, the fan-favorite Milmarinus, the Sapphire Fairy—and in the real world, the fairy-like, lovely girl with aphonia,
disguised her crimson cheeks by pulling energetically on my hand and smiling.
Is there any hesitation regarding that? I, the author, would never allow such a thing.